praseodymium

[ prey-zee-oh-dim-ee-uhm, prey-see- ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a rare-earth, metallic, trivalent element, named from its green salts. : Pr; : 140.91; : 59; : 6.77 at 20°C.

praseodymium

/ ˌpreɪzɪəʊˈdɪmɪəm /

noun

1. a malleable ductile silvery-white element of the lanthanide series of metals. It occurs principally in monazite and bastnaesite and is used with other rare earths in carbon-arc lights and as a pigment in glass. Symbol: Pr; atomic no: 59; atomic wt: 140.90765; valency: 3; relative density: 6.773; melting pt: 931°C; boiling pt: 3520°C

praseodymium

/ prā′zē-ō-dĭm′ē-əm /

1. A soft, malleable, silvery metallic element of the lanthanide series that develops a green tarnish in air. It is used to add a yellow tint to glass and ceramics and to make the glass used in welding goggles. Atomic number 59; atomic weight 140.908; melting point 935°C; boiling point 3,127°C; specific gravity 6.8; valence 3, 4.
2. See Periodic Table

Word History and Origins

Origin of praseodymium¹

1880–85; < New Latin, equivalent to praseo- (combining form representing Greek prásios leek-green; prase ) + (di)dymium

Word History and Origins

Origin of praseodymium¹

C20: New Latin, from Greek prasios of a leek-green colour + didymium

Example Sentences

The salts of praseodymium are green in colour, and give a characteristic spark spectrum.

From Project Gutenberg